LEFTOVERS: Etiquette on social media not universal

Social media has become such a part of our daily lives that it’s nearly impossible for some to fathom even one day going by without updating a status or Instagramming a meal.

By ADAM HILL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

December 7, 2013 - 12:04 am

Social media has become such a part of our daily lives that it’s nearly impossible for some to fathom even one day going by without updating a status or Instagramming a meal.

Yet far too many mistakes still are being made on social networks.

Maybe it’s time to offer a lesson on good and bad uses of these powerful communication tools for those in the public eye.

Leftovers will try to do our best today.

Let’s start with a couple of positives.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks are among the teams that quickly have learned to use Twitter not strictly for marketing and news but often as a source of entertainment.

The Blazers’ official account made light of the fact that even though the team is tops in the Western Conference at 17-3, it almost could be on the verge of clinching a playoff spot if it was in the East.

“Is it too late to join the Eastern Conference?” a post from the team’s account queried. “Asking for a friend.”

Good, clean fun. Not cutting, razor-sharp wit. But decent. Not offensive but still entertaining.

Get it?

If social media users love one thing, it’s snark.

That’s acceptable, too.

A great example came from the Hawks’ official Twitter account Wednesday when it partook in another great hobby of the Internet, taking shots at ESPN’s Darren Rovell.

Rovell mocked Atlanta’s promotional campaign celebrating forward Kyle Korver for being on the verge of breaking the NBA mark for most consecutive games with a 3-pointer.

“Hawks advertise Korver’s potential record 3-point game as if anyone would care,” Rovell tweeted.

The Hawks’ account retweeted Rovell’s post and tagged on an addendum.

“Your employer does,” the Hawks’ post read, with a link to an ESPN tweet trumpeting the accomplishment.

Again, good stuff. Snarky but palatable.

Then, there’s NBC Sports Radio and its official account. It provides today’s example of what not to do.

We understand it is a somewhat new entry into the crowded field of around-the-clock sports networks and wants to try to differentiate its product from the others, but this is not how that is done.

As news broke on Thursday that Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston would not be charged with sexual assault, whoever was running the network’s Twitter account determined it would be a great time to tie in the news with Winston’s pursuit of the Heisman Trophy.

“CONFIRMED: Jameis Winston gives the Heisman stiff arm to the allegations against him of sexual assault. He will not be charged,” the too-clever-for-its-own-good post read.

Yeah, that’s not good.

When you’re @JohnnyBamaFan38 on Twitter or some other anonymous goofball, you can do things like this.

When you’re a national sports outlet, you can’t.

If you’re confused over the seemingly arbitrary lines being drawn over what’s acceptable and what’s not, we’ve provided a rule to get things started.

If you represent something more than yourself on Twitter, don’t make lighthearted comments about rape cases.

Can we at least start there?

Good. Now that that’s settled, we can’t wait to check Instagram to see @JohnnyBamaFan38’s cat in a Christmas sweater.